Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Mild
Temperatures +5C or above on higher summits. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling cool if exposed to breeze higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 21st February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Severe conditions over the mountains, storm-force winds most of daylight. Wet all day most areas, heaviest rain on south-facing hill groups, risk of local flooding. Least rain toward far north of the Highlands. Cloud shrouding the hills widely. Well above freezing with an ongoing thaw.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Stormy upland winds. Rain heaviest toward south.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 60-80mph for most of daylight, gusts in places over 90mph on higher Cairngorms; powerful gusts also in places downslope to north. Top speeds lessen evening into night, but gales likely continue.
Effect of the wind on you?
Any mobility very difficult on mountains; walking challenging even on mid to lower slopes in exposure. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Wet south, intermittent spells north
Often raining west and south Cairngorms, heavy at times. Some spells of rain will reach north over the Cairngorm plateau.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive south, varied north
Extensive mid-to-low cloud south Cairngorm plateau, bases often 600-700m. Bases will be highest Monadhliath east to northern Cairngorms, breaks towards 1000m at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10% south, 30% north.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine. Often poor visibility, very poor in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 7C. Western areas may slightly cool in the afternoon. Feeling as cold as -12C in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 22nd February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25-35mph, up to 40mph around dawn higher areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking strenuous at times with some stability challenges. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Little precipitation expected
A few patches of light drizzle into areas west of A9, brief flurries on Munros.
Cloud on the hills?
Few patches southwest, tops clear
Cloud banks often lingering on higher slopes around the A9 and south Cairngorms. Higher summits near the top of the cloud layer. Slopes north of Cairngorm plateau often clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% south, 80% north
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine south, frequent or widely sunny north. Good visibility, excellent north.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2C. Feeling like -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
1200m. Mostly above Deeside summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 23rd February 2025
Last updated
Thu 20th Feb 25 at
3:45PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 60 to 80mph, up to 100mph in gusts for periods on higher Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe conditions: mobility challenging even at mid-elevations, frequently knocking you off your feet where exposed.
How Wet?
Heavy rain, summit snow; showers later
Rain soon setting in around dawn, heaviest south & western Cairngorms, snow for a time on higher tops. By afternoon, clusters of showers, locally remaining frequent near Drumochter; back to snow on high tops into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher areas
Shrouding the mountains most or all day, lowest cloud bases to mid-slopes over southern areas and whilst rain persists. Mostly higher tops toward north Cairngorms, some breaks by afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast for several hours, then some glimpses of sun forming, mainly north of the Cairngorms. Slight haze, poor visibility in precipitation.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1 to 3C. Feeling like -15C or below due to wind chill.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing above 1000-1200m early in day, but by middle of day above all tops. Starting to lower again onto tops into night.
Planning Outlook
All terrain will have thawed by the weekend; very wet underfoot with several spells of heavy rainfall, highest totals on south & southwest-facing hills bringing local flooding. A relative improvement on Saturday for many places, but remaining windy, up to gale-force higher northern Scottish tops - rain still frequent around Skye. Deteriorating again into Sunday with further storm-force mountain winds. Chillier westerly winds prevail next week, a return to mostly sub-freezing conditions over Scottish Munros, whilst lower Scottish hills plus mountains in England & Wales will see some freeze and thaw. Showery conditions with hail and upland snow, mixed with occasionally more widespread precipitation.